The Villain Mom Awakens โ Going Viral by Parenting on a Reality Show-Chapter 103: Ian Is Such a Sweet and Caring Boy
"Sis, where are my brother and Ian? I havenโt seen Ian in ages. I wonder if heโs put on a little weight..." Jenna Shaw glanced around, but she didnโt see any familiar figures. ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐ธ๐๐๐.๐๐๐
"They should be in the back kitchen. Youโll see them if you head over there."
Jenna nodded, marveling at the decor of the family estate. "This place is decorated so beautifully. Todayโs birthday party is very unique, and I love it. Sis, you designed all of this, didnโt you?"
Naomi Kenway smiled. "How did you guess?"
Jenna gave a little โtsk,โ her expression impish. "My parents are such sticks-in-the-mud. My brotherโs a bit better, but heโs still so cold and aloof. Thereโs no way he could come up with a scene this warm and cozy. Ruling them out, the only one with the creative touch had to be you, Sis."
Naomi was delighted by the praise, and her fondness for Jenna shot up.
"Jenna, what are you doing just standing there?" Jane Chandlerโs voice cut in. She approached slowly, her eyes fixed on Naomi with unconcealed wariness.
"Mom, I was just chatting with my sister-in-law!"
Jane grabbed her hand and started pulling her upstairs. "Youโve been on a plane for so long, you should go rest. What is there to talk about with her?"
Jenna sensed the hostility in Janeโs tone. She let herself be passively pulled upstairs, her voice awkward as she whispered, "Mom, what are you doing?"
When they reached a deserted spot on the second floor, Jane finally released her grip on Jenna. "Didnโt I tell you not to associate with Naomi Kenway? She has none of the grace of a high-society lady. What if she becomes a bad influence on you?"
Jennaโs expression was one of disagreement. "Donโt you think youโre exaggerating? She seems perfectly nice to me. We just chatted for a bit, and she came across as very gentle. Just look at the venue she put together. She must be an incredibly meticulous person to arrange everything so warmly."
"Gentle? What kind of spell has she cast on all of you? Canโt you see sheโs just putting on an act? Sheโs only acting this way in front of us because she knows I told Ethan to divorce her, and now she feels threatened. But a leopard canโt change its spots. And this party! I knew she wouldnโt do anything to my satisfaction, but who would have thought sheโd screw it up this badly? So common. Only inviting close friends and family... what a convenient way for her to save herself some trouble!"
Jane snorted coldly. "Youโre rarely home, so of course you donโt know her. I donโt know who sheโs been getting advice from, but her game has gotten a lot better."
What Jane said was a lot to take in, and Jenna had some trouble processing it all. She listened with a frown. "Is that really true? I canโt see it at all."
"Youโre still so young. How could you possibly see through Naomiโs schemes?" Janeโs head throbbed. "Letโs not talk about her anymore. Itโs just too frustrating."
"Oh, right. Jenna, didnโt Walter Vance come with you? How come I donโt see him?"
At the mention of her boyfriendโs name, a bashful blush appeared on Jennaโs cheeks. "Oh, him... He said something important came up with his family, so he probably canโt make it today." As she spoke, a hint of disappointment crept into her voice.
"Today is the matriarchโs birthday. What could he possibly be busy with?" Jane said, displeased.
"Heโs... very busy. He said heโll definitely come by to apologize in person when he has time. Mom, he really is busy. Please donโt blame him."
Jane smiled. "So quick to defend him, are you? Well, have him come over for dinner when heโs free. You two were childhood sweethearts, studying abroad together. I practically watched Walter grow up, so I trust his character. The Ford Family is nouveau riche, but theyโve done well for themselves these past two years. I suppose theyโre barely worthy of my precious daughter."
Jenna said, annoyed, "Mom, what are you talking about? Iโm not with him for his familyโs status."
Jane opened her mouth, then decided to change the subject. "Your grandmother hasnโt seen you in a long time. Go and see her."
*
The guests had mostly arrived. Jane Chandler went to Susan Hughesโs room to ask her to come down.
She took the shoes from a maidโs hands and bent down to put them on for Susan Hughes. "Mother, Naomi was in charge of the birthday party this time. Perhaps sheโll have a surprise for you."
Jane straightened up, an inscrutable smile on her face.
Susan Hughesโs hand, which was gripping her cane, froze for a moment. A maid helped her sit up in bed. "Nia doesnโt have much experience. Why was this handed over to her?"
Her gaze toward Jane was full of inquiry.
Jane subconsciously straightened her posture even more. "Sheโs always off shooting those useless variety shows. Isnโt it only right for her to share some of the family responsibilities? Besides, when I get older, these things will fall to her sooner or later. Thereโs no harm in letting her practice beforehand."
Every word she said was logical, but Susan Hughes gave her a long, meaningful look.
Just as Jane was about to buckle under the scrutiny, Susan Hughes rose with her cane. "Since Nia went to the trouble of preparing it, I should go and have a look. We shouldnโt keep the guests waiting."
Jane took her arm. "Thereโs no need to hurry. The party is just downstairs. Weโll see the guests as soon as we go down one floor."
Susan glanced sideways at her. "The party is being held at the estate?"
"Yes. Your granddaughter-in-law prepared all of this herself. I heard she only invited a small group of people. I wonder if she finds hosting parties too troublesome... I wouldnโt dare entrust the Shaw Family to her. She simply canโt handle a grand occasion."
But to her surprise, Susan Hughes chuckled. "Iโm too old to bother with all those people from the business world. This is quite nice."
Jane frowned discreetly and helped Susan downstairs.
There were about twenty people in attendance. When they saw Susan Hughes coming down, they all rushed forward to offer their congratulations.
Susan looked at the familiar faces before her, a feeling of warmth and sentimentality washing over her. "You all came..."
Then her eyes were drawn to the hallโs decorations. Smelling the fragrance of her favorite flowers, she couldnโt help but relax.
"Great-Grandma, happy birthday!" Ian Shaw walked forward, holding hands with Ethan Shaw and Naomi Kenway, and recited a birthday speech clearly and fluently.
The birthday speech was long, but Ian recited it fluently without a single mistake.
Jane Chandler, standing to the side, was somewhat stunned.
"Oh, my." Susan Hughes was absolutely beaming. Her back wasnโt what it used to be, so she couldnโt pick Ian up, but she reached out and ruffled his hair. "How impressive! Great-Grandma has received Ianโs blessings, and I hope our Ian grows up healthy and strong."
Ian Shaw then pulled out chocolate candies and cookies from his little yellow duck bag. The bag was filled with his favorite snacks. His hands were too small to grab everything, so Ian simply took off his bag.
Susan Hughes bent down at just the right moment, allowing him to place it around her neck. The childโs bag was a bit small, looking more like a charming accessory on her.
"Great-Grandma, this is full of all of Ianโs favorite snacks! This is Ianโs present for you!"
Someone nearby chuckled. "Those are Ianโs favorite snacks! It looks like Ian had to part with his treasures to prepare a gift for the matriarch. What a sweet and considerate boy!"
